The sixth class of the Emerging Leaders in Architecture: An Honors Academy of the Virginia Society AIA met for the first session of the year on Jan. 10, 2014 at the Virginia Center for Architecture.
As in every year, the 2014 class is comprised of some of the best and brightest young professionals and students Virginia has to offer. Participants include one student from each of the Virginia architecture schools, one designee from each local AIA component, and seven “at-large” participants. They come from all over the Commonwealth, from firms large and small, and share the common characteristic that they have been identified as someone with potential to be a leader in the profession and the community.
At the January session, “Inheritance and Inspiration,” participants got to know each other, learned about program’s goals and requirements, and were introduced to the class project for the year. Speakers on the nature of leadership, architectural history and traditions, and the inspiration to be found in good design rounded out the day.
The 2014 class project is sited in historic Falls Church, where history and growth have collided to make planning and development an interesting challenge.
The ELA program begin in 2009 and now has over 70 alumni — many of which have assumed leadership positions in their firms and AIA components. Currently there is an ELA alum or current participant on the board of every AIA component in Virginia.
The 2014 class of the Emerging Leaders in Architecture is sponsored by Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company.
(Left to right, Back row: Nick Valadez, Cory Dear, Elma Willcoxon, Scott Boyce, Kylan Shirley, J.W. Blanchard, Alex Helms, David Friend, Alicia Canady Front Row: Jason Albers, Tyler Whitney, Emily Hogan, Evan Mackenzie, Rachel Williams, Lauren Nelson, Ann Marcum)